Douglas Hamilton Morgan was born on 11 November 1923 in Edinburgh, the younger son of George Andrew Morgan and Mary Steel Morgan of “Ellisland,” 13 Hillview Terrace. He attended the Edinburgh Institution and Melville College from 1929 to 1941, where he excelled in both leadership and sport.
He was selected for the 1st XV rugby team in 1939–40 and served as Head of School in 1940–41. His elder brother, George Stewart Morgan (born 18 August 1921), attended the same school from 1926 to 1939.
A talented sportsman, George played for both the 1st XV and 1st XI, captained the rugby team, became a Prefect, later trained as a Chartered Accountant, and served as an officer in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War.
After leaving school, Douglas joined the University of Edinburgh Officers’ Training Corps and was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a Midshipman (A) on 15 September 1942 for service with the Fleet Air Arm.
Promoted to Acting Sub-Lieutenant (A) in March 1943, he was posted to HMS Saker and trained at Quonset Point Naval Air Station, Rhode Island, likely with No. 738 Squadron.
On 14 June 1943, his aircraft suffered engine failure and crashed during take-off at Quonset Point, triggering an explosion that injured 23 men. Seriously wounded, Douglas died the following day and was buried in Newport (Island) Cemetery, Rhode Island.
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